It was said that there's god in the rain. Some says it's a blessing, from gods to their children, other says it's a curse. Believe it or not, all of there are right. Because everything is in perspective.
Rains are also like that. In desert rains are miracles, but for those who are flooded, rains are nothing more than a foot that kicks a man when he's down.
Take a look at this, a child was sitting on a bridge. The rains, cold and heavy droplets of rains that pounded her back should be like a curse her.
But not tonight, because tonight she was crying. And the rain hid her tears.
For some reason it was important for her not to show emotion, to block away her fear, despair and sadness from the rest of the world. Even if she lost everything else it seemed like this matter to her. So like a lost child, she hung on to that last piece of her memory. And so she cried, forever grateful of the rain.
But something stopped that rain or rather someone did. The child, who doesn't seem quite as young and helpless as when she was crying moments ago, looked up. She saw a man, cloaked in dark shrouding coat with rain drops dripping off his brows as he held his umbrella over her. His face held an expression which didn't look entirely unlike a smile.
"Are you lost?" He asked simply.
She looked him in the eyes and nodded slowly to which he shook his head.
"You're found now." He said as he offers her a hand.
The red-headed girl stared as the offered hand for a second then took it. She let him help her up to her full height. The girl, who by now looked like a teenager, abates a petite one at that, smiled. And for the first time that night she was sure who she was.
She was found. Sure she doesn't have a name or memories but she was found, and that all that matters.
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Behind this cold smile, By Krimzonrayne, the avatar of blood-god
Chapter 3, Tears In the Rain
Disclaimer. I'm not sure why I only have 1 review for chapter 2 but that ok….. (TT sobs sobs sobs) Really it is. (Maybe cuz I rushed it? I donno)
Anyway, I hope this one get more response.
Standard disclaimer stuff can be insert here yadda yadda yadda
P.S. this chapter and the next 4 or 5 will be about Ranma's transformation into Ranko/Rankaze.
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The apartment was amazingly luxurious. The fact that it was small didn't affect its beauty in the slightest; rather it adds a comfortable and homely feel to the place. As soon as they walked through the genkan (area in Japan's home where you take off your shoes, hang your coats and leave your umbrella), the man ushered the girl into the bathroom, saying that she would catch a cold in her soaked attire.
Minutes later a scream could be heard throughout the city block, the man, upon rushing into the bathroom noticed two things. One, the origin of the cry was definitely masculine and two, the red headed girl was no where to be seen.
He stared intently at HIM for the moment then said non-perplex. "My, you're full of surprises aren't you?" He turned and walked out. As he shut the door, the girl turn guy heard him says to clean up and meet him in the living room.
The man walked over to the fridge, opened it and pulled out a carton of apple juice. He poured out two glasses, walked over to the dinning table and sat down to wait for his mysterious guest.
He blinked then turned around, to see the guest in question, now female, and standing about a few steps away from him.
'Interesting, she can't be a day over 18, yet she learned to mask her present and move without sound subconsciously' He thought.
"Good evening" He said in perfect Japanese. "My name is Jack, what is your name child?"
"I...I don't know" she said slowly after a long pause. "I...I... c...can't remember anything." Her words came out as stutters as the same sense of panic began to cloud her mind. She felt a finger lifting her chin up. Her eyes slowly came in contact with the kind man, once again, the sense of protection and warmth filled her.
Jack looked at the mysterious girl, who was at the moment wearing a silk female yukata with the pictures of orchids painted on it.
"...Natsunoyuki Ranko?" Jack mused, a little too quite for the teenager to hear.
"Huh?" The girl blurted out questioningly.
"You are, my dear 'Natsunoyuki Ranko', a mystery. A puzzle if you will. A charming contradiction, like the summer's snow or the autumn's rain. A little miracle everybody wish for every day." He said with a charming smile.
"And Ranko for the orchid's child, I've found you to be" he finished by pointing at the pattern on her yukata.
She looked at him, and without a moment of hesitation she said with a very deep and respectful bow."Hai, domoarigato gosaimasu, Jack-dono"
"Please, Ranko-san. We foreigners know next to nothing about the exquisite etiquettes of Japan. Less of all an American like me."wink
The last part was said with such an exaggerated accent that it made the newly christened Ranko giggled out loud. Her eyes went wide as she covered her mouth.
'I just giggled' the thought echoed through her mind. The fact that she'd just giggled seem to defy the core of her identity. He hands started to shake.
"What's the matter Ranko-san." Jack asked.
Seeing that she wasn't answering her looked deep into her eyes and 'read' her.
What he'd found terrified him. 'Such loneliness shouldn't be in the heart of one so young'
"It's normal to express your emotion, Ranko." Jack said calmly as he put his hand on her shoulder. "No one can be alone forever, not even you. Trust me."
Ranko slowly pulled herself out of the dark recess of her nightmare and found herself staring a pair of hard blue eyes that would've seem cold and heartless on anyone else but they're were HIS. Her savior's.
She lost herself in the depth of those two globes that spoke of understanding and acceptance.
Suddenly fires lidded up inside the girl's two tearing spheres. She collapsed into his arms and cried. To an outside observer, this may not seem difference from before but to the two of them it was a world apart. Because these tears were not tears of sadness or despair. Rather, these tears expressed a profound understanding and belonging.
Of promise that even if nothing will always be alright, they'll always be here for each other. And that loneliness is just a word. And that there's always tomorrow and tomorrow is here today.
The sun rose, as it usually does. However, the gentle ray that used to wake the earth seems redundant nowadays. In these 'civilize' world where alarm clock's an essential commodity and everyone in Tokyo seem to think they need to get up before dawn.
Ranko stirred as the warm sunbeam fought its way through the thick curtain and reflected off her smooth skin. She shifted her body and purred contently, trying to go back to sleep.
"Ranko, does that cat have a white stripe of his forehead? Because if it is I've already fed him earlier." Yelled Jack from somewhere in the apartment. The girl stretched lazily and got off her bed.
"What are you talking about Jack-san?" She asked as she strolled into the kitchenette. "I didn't see any cat."
"Are you sure Ranko, because I've just heard one purred not a minute ago." He said as he flipped a piece of what the Japanese girl thought was a yellow-colored toast into the air and caught it again with his pan.
"I think that was me, Jack-san" She said, sounding a bit embarrassed. In truth she had been wondering why she did that.
'Mmmm... that's interesting. Human shouldn't have the mind set to produce that kind of noise.' Jack thought.
Jack blinked and tossed the French-toast onto a plate just before it begins to burn. He handed the plate to the yawning girl, who stared at it doubtfully with her bleary eyes.
"Why is the toast yellow Jack-san?" She said, sounded a bit confused.
"These are French-toast, Ranko. They're meant to be yellow because you put egg on them. Now, what would like to drink?" He asked, pulling out two cups from the cupboard.
Ranko, who was nibbling on a piece of French toast, mumbled though her full mouth. " Milmm Plmmm"
Jack deciphered the coded massage and poured her a cup of milk. As he sat down his cup of tea, Jack noticed something in Ranko.
'Mmm... her posture, her movement and the way she held herself, all contain some feline characteristics. Lithe and graceful, she could go far in my line of work.'
(An image of a woman dressed in white kimono lying on the floor, blood slowly pooling beneath her body appeared
'What was I thinking? I didn't help this girl so I can kill her' He shook his head and turn to leave.
"Wait Jack-san, what should I do while you're gone?" Ranko asked, looking up from her empty plate.
"What ever you want to I guess. If you want to wander around Shibuya, I suggest you take a little precaution, like a pepper spray or something. These alleys are not as safe as they used to be, I'm afraid."
Jack then picked up his key and suitcase and started for the door. As he opened the door, he remarked, "There's a spare key in that drawer over there. If you need anything call the landlady down stair, she's a good friend of mine."
And with that, Natsunoyuki Ranko was left to start her first day in her new life.
Finally, I've got it out. The delayed is purely my fault and a little online game called Dofus. Man it's an awesome game. Anyone here plays it? If you do please let me know.
Anyway it not only just that, it's catching all the homework I misses while I was in Japan as well so, here my apology.
Hope this is worth it.
P.S. It's extra long :)